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Metro in Talks to Buy Union Station?

By Eric Richardson
Published: Friday, December 10, 2010, at 02:08PM
Union Station Eric Richardson

The 1939 Union Station building (bottom left) is located just across the railroad tracks from Metro's headquarters at One Gateway Plaza (top right).

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Could Metro be in talks to buy Los Angeles' historic Union Station?

While neither the transit agency nor current owner would offer any details, a mysterious item hints at talks.

Roger Moliere, the agency's chief executive for Real Property Management & Development, is listed as the negotiator on a deal involving "800 North Alameda Street," the address of the 1939 station. Under discussion were "terms and payment," according to the item.

While that's non-specific language, the station is definitely on the market. Prologis recently told shareholders that it intends to sell all of its non-industrial properties within the next year. While she would not speak to any specific negotiations regarding Union Station, Prologis spokeswoman Mo Sheahan confirmed Friday that the company was aiming to complete a sale in early 2011.

The facility is a major hub for Metro, and its role is only expected to grow with the addition of High-Speed Rail. The transit agency has funded some improvements to the station in the past, but has never been in direct control of the facility.

Prologis acquired the station in 2005 when it purchased Catellus Development Corp., the real estate company formed out of land owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.

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Negotiation for 800 N. Alameda Metro Board Agenda

This closed session item from Metro's December Board of Directors meeting says that the transit agency is in talks of some sort with the owner of Union Station.

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Conversation

Guest 1

Guest on December 10, 2010, at 03:34PM – #1

On a mostly unrelated note, the 24-hr Famima is pretty awesome...I came in about 1am on Tuesday from the LAX Flyaway and was hungry. Can't beat those "triangles."


Guest 2

Guest on December 10, 2010, at 04:22PM – #2

@#1: They're called onigiri. Very delicious!

I used to live at Mozaic, and I have to say that the recent improvements including Wetzel's Pretzels that just opened, and the Famima that opened last month, are great for the station.

However, I don't expect Metro to have any such forward-thinking vision for the station, if its other stations are any hint as to how it would manage it. Maybe another private company can come in and manage it.


Friskie Buffet on December 10, 2010, at 08:52PM – #3

Maybe there will FINALLY be a large, visible sign outside the Alameda Street entrance to Union Station letting people know that a subway station is inside (like maybe a huge, brightly-lit red, gold and purple "M").


Guest 3

Guest on December 10, 2010, at 09:21PM – #4

And they don't have money for 5th/Flower???


Guest 4

Guest on December 12, 2010, at 01:08AM – #5

It's a sign of our weird modern era that ostensibly public buildings, like Union Station, are not owned by public entities.


User_32

() on December 12, 2010, at 01:17AM – #6

Union Station was built by the railroad companies, and Southern Pacific has owned it for decades. Over the years they have changed their name a few times, first to Catellus Corp and now to Prologis. So Metro would be buying it from the heir to the original developer. It's an interesting history, one which highlights the private origins of the railroads.


Guest 5

Guest on December 13, 2010, at 09:12AM – #7

Having nice retail/food in the station was great when i arrived on friday on Amtrak from San Diego - great to see some life in the station with the Famima and the other food stand.


User_32

on December 13, 2010, at 09:35AM – #8

Scott Bottles has an entire chapter of his book Los Angeles and the Automobile over the battle between the city of L.A. and the railroads over the building of Union Station.

A while back a member of the transit advocate group I belong to complained about smelly bathrooms at Union Station. I decided to get the phone number of the management office so he could directly complain and maybe get something done. Man, I went nuts trying to track down that phone number. I finally called Union Bagel and asked who do they contact when they have something that requires action by the management. Hopefully Metro won't be so secretive if they acquire the property.

Guest #3--this acquisition will probably be paid for with revenue bonds paid back by the rents etc. the building generates--a totally exclusive funding source separate than that used for constructing infrastructure facilities. And don’t forget the whole reason the station is being x'd is to spend an unnecessary $200 million to assuage the screamy memies of Little Tokyo. Please put the blame where it belongs...


John Swartz on December 13, 2010, at 09:48AM – #9

We need to make sure that the purchaser will be the owner who would provide the most effective solution for the implementation of the High Speed Rail into the station.


User_32

on December 13, 2010, at 05:37PM – #10

Dana Gabbard unfairly disparages the entire community of Little Tokyo.

I wasn't happy with some of the NIMBYs who were obviously hysterical and didn't know what they were talking about when it came to light rail.

HOWEVER, I do applaud those in Little Tokyo community who paid attention to what was going on, went to meetings, talked with Metro, discussed things and eventually forced Metro to change their plans. I don't remember the lawyers and bankers of 5th/ Flower doing anything to help their cause. They certainly have the money to pay for a station.

As for Union Station... I think the station is pretty well managed as it is. Famima!! is a great addition to a wonderful train station.

Whoever runs Union Station needs to be vigilant about its upkeep.


Guest 6

Guest on December 13, 2010, at 11:27PM – #11

Gonna buy me some Union Station/Famima triangles tomorrow! mmm mmm


User_32

David Klappholz on December 14, 2010, at 05:58AM – #12

Re: Famima!! is a great addition to a wonderful train station.

It is, but then Union Station is one of the most beautiful buildings in America.


Guest 7

Guest on December 14, 2010, at 10:53AM – #13

If Metro buys it, two things are evident: 1.) They would rather put the money towards property, then buses, and 2.) METRO DOESN'T CARE ABOUT BUS RIDERS! (I only hope the INSIDE of the station will get "upgraded"). It is dark, dreary, and clearly has not been re-modeled since it opened in 1939!


User_32

Russell Brown on December 15, 2010, at 01:57AM – #14

To Guest # 7 I do not understand the logic. Metro is spending $15 billion on rail that will all connect via Union Station.

CA is spending $45 billion on high speed rail with Union Station at the center of the network.

MetroLink is upgrading new trains that all feed to Union Station.

The Regional connector will link all the downtown lines for seamless transit through Union Station.

The owner has not maintained the building, is selling it at a low point in the market and Metro has been paying for the improvements.

And instead of this seen as Metro owning its home and controlling its own destiny, the response is Metro hates bus riders?

I guess it is better to have a hedge fund buy it on the cheap and hold Metro ransom to every decision with hijacked fees?

(Oh sorry- that is the plan for the City garages)

Welcome to $30 event parking at Hollywood & Highland for the new Cirque to Soleil touring company)


Guest 8

Guest on December 17, 2010, at 08:05PM – #15

Russell, will Metro staff an information booth (with friendly faces) to help people maneuver inside the beautiful but cavernous station?

I was lost in there once, trying to find the connector entrance, and people moved by me like Night of the Living Dead. The only employee I found was a janitor who knew less than I did. And the information booth was empty.

I know employee costs are high, but what about volunteers? A good manager would see to it that there a good, knowledgeable volunteers at all times, and ones with friendly, helpful demeanors.


Guest 9

Guest on December 29, 2010, at 11:57PM – #16

I work for Metro and would like to say that Union Station would be a great investment. Finally our signage in the Eastern portal will match that of Union Station. Metro is not allowed to place ANY signage within Union Station thanks to Prologis (only the Eastern Portal which we own). Once we also build our elevated "Silver Line Station" next to the 101 this facility will become a super hub... Let's not forget that Metrolink is also scheduled to move into our One Gateway HQ located just outside the Eastern Portal as well. I and other Metro employees have several times volunteered in the past year to simply walk around the pedestrian tunnel during rush hour with our yellow vests to answer questions, guide, and assist patrons with TVM's and not just ours but Metrolink's and Amtraks as well! L.A. needs metro to own this important piece of infrastructure!



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